The Iran Nuclear Deal

This book delves deep into the complex dynamics surrounding the Iran nuclear deal and its subsequent fracture. In a post-2018 world, following the United States’ withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, this work dissects the ramifications of this geopolitical shift, particularly with respect to Iran's nuclear ambitions.

The book's central premise revolves around the idea that Iran's pursuit of nuclear capabilities is intricately tied to its enduring conflicts with Iraq, Israel, and the United States. It argues that the nuclear deal had the potential to quell these conflicts, particularly the long-standing rivalry between Iran and the U.S., thus reshaping Iran's relationships in the Middle East. However, with the U.S. exit from the agreement and its accusations of Iranian sponsorship of terrorism, Iran now perceives a heightened threat, potentially leading it to consider nuclear weapons as a deterrent against a potential war with the U.S.

The book challengesconventional international relations paradigms with regards to Iran: realism, which typically predicts all conflicting states will seek nuclear weapons regardless of cooperative arrangements, is shown to ignore the nuanced connection between cooperation and proliferation propensity; and liberalism's emphasis on cooperation is critiqued in this case for overlooking the negative consequences of failed cooperative endeavours. The book highlights the importance of trust and compliance in the success of cooperative agreements, as well as the adverse effects of their breakdown.

The work contributes significantly to our understanding of international relations in the Middle East. It draws on an extensive examination of prior research while presenting novel theoretical insights. The detailed case study of Iran's nuclear aspirations before, during, and after the nuclear deal serves as a compelling application of the theoretical framework.

Finally, the book provides an in-depth exploration of the intricate web of geopolitics, trust, and cooperation that has shaped the trajectory of Iran's nuclear ambitions. It offers not only theoretical contributions to the field of international relations but also valuable policy insights for managing this critical international issue.

 

“This important book offers a new theory and policy-related insights with respect to the Iran nuclear deal. It is the first study to see the nuclear deal as a means toward confidence-building between longstanding enemies. Iranian proliferation activities prior to the deal emerged as a result of simultaneous protracted conflicts with the US, Israel and Iraq. The volume offers a unique comparative analysis of Iranian nuclear policy over time and will be of great interest to academics and foreign policy practitioners alike.”

- Patrick James, Dean’s Professor of International Relations, University of Southern California

 This in-depth study perceptively illuminates how the Iranian nuclear deal unraveled after the Trump administration withdrew, and with what consequences. The case reveals how relations between rival states can be improved through the positive spill-over effects of cooperative arrangements, but also how rapid and comprehensive spill-back can result fromtheir unravelling. With her compelling analysis Khan persuasively demonstrates the importance of a renewed agreement with Iran backed by the United States.”

- Annette Freyberg-Inan, Professor of International Relations Theory, University of Amsterdam

Saira Khan is an International Security expert and has been a Professor of International Relations for more than two decades in Canada, Europe, West Asia, the US, and South Asia. She has taught International Relations at McGill University, University of British Columbia, The University of Amsterdam, and The American University in Cairo, among others. She holds a PhD in Political Science from McGill University, Canada, and specializes in International Relations and International Security, including international crisis, conflict, war, and nuclear proliferation. Her regional specializations include South Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.